FORT BLISS, TEXAS (August 31, 2009) - Brigadier General Keith Walker, Director of the Future Force Integration Directorate presents Specialist Ramona Dunlap with an Army Commendation Medal for her actions in preventing a fellow soldier from taking their own life.
After normal duty hours, Spc. Dunlap and Sgt. Benjamin Steagall responded to text messages from a fellow soldier that she believed intended to harm themselves.
When she and Sgt. Steagall arrived at the quarters they witnessed the soldier ingesting large doses of various pills and speaking out of character. Specialist Dunlap reacted quickly and forcibly caused the soldier to expel the pills before they could be digested.
They stayed with soldier until medical care was obtained and the chain of command could be notified.
Sergeant First Class Wayne Gray who arrived at the scene said "Any soldier who reacts so quickly to a dangerous situation to save another soldiers life is really commendable. Every soldier's life is important."
Due to an increase in suicides, the Army has implemented a new program to promote awareness of suicide prevention and give commanders more resources to better assist their soldiers in suicide prevention. One such website is the United States Army Center for Health Promotion and Preventive Medicine, Suicide Prevention Resources and Training website.
http://chppm-www.apgea.army.mil/dhpw/readiness/suicide.aspx
For more information, contact Wesley Elliott, FFID Public Affairs Office, at (915) 568-4278.
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